When there is no other option left, you are compelled to take the only one you have. This is what the makers of Sadak 2 are doing currently, in the wake of uncertainty because of the Coronavirus. They are releasing the film digitally, as there is no clarity when theatres will get open.
The producer of the film, Mukesh Bhatt confirmed this news. In an interview with PTI, he said :
“It (number of COVID-19 cases) is increasing day-by-day instead of subsiding. In this situation, do you think the theaters will open? And even if they do and Sadak 2 is released, will people go to watch it? People have to protect their families. Today, life is more important.”
“I am compelled to come (on digital platform) because I don’t see any light in the near future. This is the best I can do to survive. There are certain things that you do, not out of choice but out of compulsion. This is the only option left. It is a no-brainer, Mukesh added further.
Though the film is releasing on an OTT platform to avoid any losses, theatre exhibitors are not happy. Already the likes of three others films, such as Shakuntala Devi Gunjan Saxena- The Kargil Girl, Dil Bechara among other films are releasing on OTT platforms.
Even, Amitabh Bacchan and Ayushmaan Khurrana’s recent film, Gulabo Sitabo premiered on Amazon Prime, which had irked the distributors. The producers have no option but to opt for digital release but that doesn’t mean theatres will shut in the near future. About this, Mukesh said :
“Now that films are releasing on OTT, it doesn’t mean theatres will shut down. People need outing, big screen entertainment is fun. It is a temporary phase. We need to understand it rationally and not blast or put each other down. We should lift each other up.”
“I have got no option, so I will definitely consider OTT. We have not made this film to put it in lock and key. We want to bring it to people so that they enjoy the film,” he further said.
While, the film is not complete yet as a two day shoot is still left. Mukesh confirmed this and said that, it will be completed in July. The film’s post production is getting completed simultaneously.
Sadak 2, which is a sequel to the 1991 film Sadak, stars Sanjay Dutt, Alia Bhatt, Pooja Bhatt and Aditya Roy Kapur. Director, Mahesh Bhatt is directing the film.